For the second time in two years, Florida's top watchdog for the residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities has departed abruptly. Jim Crochet, who became the state's long-term-care ombudsman in 2011, was placed under investigation by the Department of Elder Affairs on Friday.
The previous ombudsman, Brian Lee, is still fighting his dismissal in court.
Lee said the watchdog program has been compromised by pressure from the nursing-home industry and state leaders.
"The governor's office has put pressure on the program to pigeonhole the advocacy of the office so it couldn't be effective for the program", said Lee. "It's really up in the air right now. The credibility is tarnished."
But Department of Elder Affairs spokeswoman Ashley Marshall said the ombudsman program is not in turmoil.
Marshall wrote in an email, "The work of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program continues without disruption as the staff and volunteers resolve the complaints and concerns of those residing in long-term care facilities."
Marshall said she was unable to answer questions about Crochet's leave because Office of Inspector General investigations are confidential.